Posted on 04/26/2019 12:35:20 PM PDT by Red Badger
The red lionfish (P. volitans) is a voracious predator in the Atlantic Ocean but furtive in its native Pacific. A new study shows evidence of rapid evolution when it arrived in the Atlantic. Credit: Michael Gäbler published under a Creative Commons license.
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What makes the red lionfish (Pterois volitans) such a successful and powerful invader in Atlantic Ocean waters compared to its rather lamblike existence in its native Pacific Ocean?
A new North Carolina State University study examining two native lionfish regions in the Pacific and five invading regions in the Atlantic showed the greatest genetic similarities between lionfish in the region of Taiwan and the Bahamas, suggesting a population near Taiwan was the source of the invading species.
Lionfish were introduced to the Atlantic in the mid-1980s, most likely as the result of a marine ornamental aquarium trade. In the Atlantic, P. volitans acts differently from the native Pacific species. Known to be shadowy and furtive in their native Pacific waters, lionfish—freed from Pacific predators—become voracious predators in the Atlantic, responsible for massive reef fish kills, devastating economically important grouper and snapper. Plus, they rival rabbits in procreation.
"P. volitans has a lot going for it in Atlantic waters," said Martha Burford Reiskind, research assistant professor of applied ecology at NC State and corresponding author of a paper describing the research. "They are found at high densities and in some cases can spawn every four days in the Atlantic; their eggs can travel great distances on ocean currents, exacerbating their spread.
"They are also difficult to handle because of their venomous spines. The population has grown so large that controlling it, not eradicating it, is the primary goal."
Besides learning more about important gene regions that show evidence of rapid evolution when the species arrived in the invasive range, the researchers also examined whether Atlantic or Pacific lionfish may be hybrids, or combinations, of two lionfish species. Specifically, researchers wanted to know if P. volitans had merged with P. miles, the devil fire fish.
"We didn't find any evidence of P. miles or hybrids in our Atlantic Ocean samples," Burford Reiskind said. "But we can't rule out that the fish introduced to the Atlantic from the Pacific wasn't already some type of hybrid between an Indian Ocean and a Pacific Ocean species."
Burford Reiskind said that the study could help during other invasive events.
"Some of these invaders rapidly adapt to new surroundings. What are the genes that allow them to successfully invade?" she asked. "Can we make better predictions so that invasive species like P. volitans are eradicated before it's too late?"
The research was conducted by undergraduate and graduate students in a conservation genetics course taught by Burford Reiskind. In this experiential-leaning project, students collected samples, sequenced DNA, built genomic libraries, analyzed data and served as co-authors of a paper that appears in Biological Invasions.
"We weren't sure what we were going to find when we took on this project as a class," Burford Reiskind said. "It was fun to see the students learn how to conduct genomic studies on an important conservation question."
Lionfish invasive species is a big problem in Florida, on both coasts...............
That’ll deplete the species!.................
Lionfish is incredibly tasty... if you’r in Florida you should ask your local restaurant to help with the cause of eradication by serving it.
It’s in our local restaurants in Destin!.................
*ping*
Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day
First Saturday after Mother’s Day each year.
SAVE the DATE for 2019!
Festival: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., May 18-19, AJ’s and HarborWalk Village, Destin.
Family-friendly activities; art, diving, and marine conservation booths; live music; fillet demos; lionfish tastings.
Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament
Pre-tournament: Feb. 1 - May 15
Regular tournament: May 16-19
Kick-off: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 1, 1835 Porch Bar, Destin
I’ve noticed on youtube videos that Lionfish barely try to escape while the diver spears one after another, filling his bag. These fish have done a lot of damage to native species.
It got meaner and more ornery the closer to New Jersey that it is?
Yah. That happens a lot.
My knowledge of the Lion Fish comes from youtube episodes of either Sailing Zatara, Sailing Delos, or Sailing Uma. I can’t remember which.
Curious as to the most cost effective method of removal to the kitchen, and on to the table. I’ve seen them spear fished, but not line caught, and seems netting would nab tons of other species we wouldn’t want harmed in the process of going after the Lion Fish.
Spearfishing is the only really cost effective way.
That why we had Lion fish rodeos now..............
Sex Lionfish Cologne... 60% of the time, it works EVERY TIME!
Thanks. I thought as much. Appreciate your response.
Why the name change? Or is it a totally different species?
Looks more like a turkey to me.
The population has grown so large that controlling it, not eradicating it, is the primary goal.”
In real life, what this means is there is no way to
eradicate it, so trying to control is the only option.
Same fish..................
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